Linux security

As I've researched Linux over the last few weeks, I've been amazed at how many people recommend running Linux with no anti-virus protection whatsoever. Often, new Linux converts are seen as having ex-Windows baggage of paranoia. I find this concerning for two reasons:

1. Rootkits, one of the most dangerous forms of malware in existence, were originally written for Unix (and by extension, Linux) and are still going strong today


2. Although your average geeky Linux user today is tech and security savvy, the same cannot be said regarding the rising generation of non-technical Linux adopters. Their bad habits of double-clicking anything interesting and confirming every administrator prompt they see will undoubtedly carry over ("what, sudo virus.sh? sure, why not.")

Fortunately, the virgin-Linux attitude is starting to change.

Conclusion -- geeks: status quo is okay; regular people: don't listen to their too-good-to-be-true advice and install protection.